Topic: Error Converting MBR Disk to GPT @ AskWoody

Error Converting MBR Disk to GPT
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Tags: mbr2gpt Recovery partition

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WStnesler
AskWoody Plus

November 1, 2024 at 8:11 am #2713868

Hello!

I am using DiskGenius to convert my hard drive from MBR to GPT. When I do this, I get an error saying “Error Ending Parameter overflow” This is indicating the Windows Recovery partition. I have had other problems with this partition so I am thinking I could delete and recreate the partition. But, before I do that, does anyone know what this error means? Is there a problem with no space at the end of the drive? I have heard that this can cause conversion problems.

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- Paul T
  AskWoody MVP
  
  November 1, 2024 at 4:34 pm #2714001
  
  What is on this disk?
  Do you have an image backup? If not, make one now.
  
  If there is nothing on partition 2 you could delete it, but you need to be sure.
  Run “Disk Management” (press Win, type disk man, press Enter).
  Post a screenshot. (Use Snip and Sketch to take the screenshot, save it as a PNG file, click “Select File” and browse to the PNG file.)
  
  cheers, Paul
  
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- Alex5723
  AskWoody Plus
  
  November 2, 2024 at 1:20 am #2714100
  
  Microsoft says that MBR to GPT convert require a disk without partitions.
  
  ..Delete all partitions and volumes on the MBR disk.
  
  For each partition or volume, select and hold (or right-click) the item, and select Delete Partition or Delete Volume…
  
  1 user thanked author for this post.
  
  PL1
  
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- Paul T
  AskWoody MVP
  
  November 2, 2024 at 5:41 pm #2714285
  
  MS says lots of things and we don’t take their word for it, why is this different?
  
  MBR2GPT.EXE converts a disk from the Master Boot Record (MBR) to the GUID Partition Table (GPT) partition style without modifying or deleting data on the disk
  
  cheers, Paul
  
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  n0ads
  AskWoody Lounger
  
  November 3, 2024 at 9:20 am #2714397
  
  I used Microsoft’s MBR2GPT.exe to converted my primary Windows drive from MBR to GPT and can personally verify it worked just fine without having to delete any partitions.
  
  There’s also this statement from the DiskGenius site (the highlighting is mine.)
  
  DiskGenius supports both MBR and GPT disk, and it is able to change an MBR disk into a GPT disk or convert a GPT disk into an MBR disk. The converting does not cause any data loss.
  
  The error message @WStnesler got clearly indicates the process failed to convert partition 2 and he indicated…
  
  WStnesler wrote:
  
  I have had other problems with this partition
  
  So the issue he encountered has something to do with how “that particular partition” is configured, not the fact his disk has multiple partitions.
  
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  RetiredGeek
  AskWoody_MVP
  
  November 3, 2024 at 11:04 am #2714413
  
  n0ads,
  
  You might want to check your link.
  
  I successfully logged on to the site https://diskgenius.com w/o error.
  
  Update:
  Interesting, WordPress now automatically creates links when you type in a URL!
  
  May the Forces of good computing be with you!
  
  RG
  
  PowerShell & VBA Rule!
  Computer Specs
  
  Reply | Quote
  
  n0ads
  AskWoody Lounger
  
  November 3, 2024 at 12:44 pm #2714442
  
  Works just fine for me in 4 different browsers.
  
  • SeaMonkey
  • Edge
  • Chrome
  • Opera
  
  Your error message “seems” to indicate it might have been either a DNS lookup or routing issue due to high traffic?!?!
  
  The actual link is https://www.diskgenius.com/manual/convert-partition-table-style.php
  
  RetiredGeek wrote:
  
  Interesting, WordPress now automatically creates links when you type in a URL!
  
  It’s always done that for me whenever I entered a full URL; just like how it did so for the above link.
  
  The catch when you do that way is, the link opens in the existing tab/window instead of a new tab/window since there’s no available option to set it to do so like there is when you use the insert a link tool.
  
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  RetiredGeek
  AskWoody_MVP
  
  November 3, 2024 at 1:50 pm #2714450
  
  Well, the original link works now… Must be that darn computer bug flying around again!
  
  May the Forces of good computing be with you!
  
  RG
  
  PowerShell & VBA Rule!
  Computer Specs
  
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- WStnesler
  AskWoody Plus
  
  November 3, 2024 at 2:05 pm #2714455
  
  Hello! Sorry for the late reply. The partition I am trying to fix is the partition that has the System recovery files. For a while it was listed as Drive D, but now is hidden from File Explorer. In the attachment I posted in my initial post it is called Partition 2.
  
  I could delete it and use mbr2gpt but I need the recovery partition so I can boot into the main hard drive. I tried using a System recovery USB drive but mbr2gpt could not find the main hard drive.
  
  My guess is that this partition is corrupt and needs to be rebuilt. Is there a way to do this? If so, how would I do this?
  Thanks again!
  I will try to be quicker with my posting this go around.
  
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- Paul T
  AskWoody MVP
  
  November 3, 2024 at 2:27 pm #2714465
  
  WStnesler wrote:
  
  I need the recovery partition so I can boot into the main hard drive
  
  I don’t think you do.
  The boot info will be on the first part of the disk and is not related to the partitions – that is the MBR bit (Master Boot Record).
  Changing to GPT moves the boot info to the first (small) partition on the disk.
  
  To check what boot mode your machine uses:
  Win R, msinfo32
  Under System Summary (first screen) look for “BIOS Mode”.
  What does it say?
  
  cheers, Paul
  
  Reply | Quote
- WStnesler
  AskWoody Plus
  
  November 4, 2024 at 9:56 am #2714654
  
  The BIOS mode is legacy. When I try to change it to UEFI, the computer won’t boot.
  
  All I know is that when I tried to boot via a rescue USB stick, I could not use the mbr2gpt program. It said (IIRC) unable to read drive -1.
  
  My main reason to try to convert to GPT is so I can dual boot Linux and Windows on the same disk. My Linux distribution (FydeOS) requires GPT to install.
  
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- n0ads
  AskWoody Lounger
  
  November 4, 2024 at 11:47 am #2714692
  
  WStnesler wrote:
  
  I need the recovery partition so I can boot into the main hard drive
  
  Not true!
  
  The sole purpose of the recovery partition is to allow you and/or the OS to enter recovery mode. It has absolutely nothing to do with booting the OS.
  
  For your legacy MBR setup, here’s how things work when you turn on your PC.
  
  1- the BIOS on the motherboard initializes the hardware.
  2- it reads the code stored in the MBR at the start of the boot disk.
  3- it uses that code to locate and load the boot sector of the active partition (in your case drive C.)
  4- it runs the bootloader retrieved from the boot sector.
  5- the bootloader will load the appropriate OS kernel (if there’s multiple OS’s, it’ll prompt for which to start.)
  6- it then hands off control to the OS.
  
  For a much more detailed explanation, see the NeoSmart Knowledgebase The BIOS/MBR Boot Process article.
  
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- Paul T
  AskWoody MVP
  
  November 4, 2024 at 1:47 pm #2714725
  
  WStnesler wrote:
  
  My main reason to try to convert to GPT is so I can dual boot Linux and Windows on the same disk
  
  According to your other thread, that disk is not big enough to install Linux without some serious surgery. I would either install a second disk for the Linux installation, or buy a much bigger disk and replace the old disk.
  
  Alternatively, install VirtualBox and then run Linux in a VM. Then you can run both Windows and Linux at the same time. (You still need a bigger disk to do this.)
  
  cheers, Paul
  
  Reply | Quote
- WStnesler
  AskWoody Plus
  
  November 4, 2024 at 10:58 pm #2714888
  
  Paul, I think that would be best. I am now thinking I can buy a larger hard drive, convert it to GPT and then restore my files to this new drive. I presume the Restore software won’t care whether the drive is MBR or GPT?
  
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- n0ads
  AskWoody Lounger
  
  November 5, 2024 at 10:04 am #2715033
  
  WStnesler wrote:
  
  I presume the Restore software won’t care whether the drive is MBR or GPT?
  
  Yes, but…
  
  The result you’ll get depends on whether you’re restoring an image backup or not?
  
  Image backups are the entire contents of a disk (including whether it’s MBR or GPT) and replace the existing contents of the a disk when restored.
  
  So, in your case, it would cause the new disk to be MBR with the same defective recovery partition.
  
  A better option at this point would probably be to…
  
  • use DISKPART to completely remove the recovery partition.
  • run the MBR2GPT conversion again (it “should” work this time.)
  • recreate the recovery partition from scratch.
  
  Once you have a GPT disk with a working recovery partition, make a new backup and restore that to your larger disk and proceed with installing Linux on it.
  
  1 user thanked author for this post.
  
  wavy
  
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- WStnesler
  AskWoody Plus
  
  November 5, 2024 at 1:07 pm #2715078
  
  Great Idea! I hadn’t thought about that. The instructions on how to recreate the recovery partition is exactly what I needed.
  
  Reply | Quote
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